James Tavernier in heartfelt Rangers penalty thank you as he shifts his focus towards to a world record

Jubliant James Tavernier has heaped praise on his Rangers team-mates for winning the penalties which have him rising up the ranks as the most lethal defender in football history.

The Ibrox skipper was beaming as he was presented with the Sam English Bowl for the men's top goalscorer at the club's glitzy player of the year awards in Glasgow. Tavernier has netted 24 times this season across all competitions with 15 of those strikes coming from the penalty spot. The 32-year-old – currently four goals clear of Cyriel Dessers – was quick to praise his Rangers pals for earning fouls inside the box for him to capitalise on.

And now the ambitious Rangers hall of famer – linked with a money-spinning reunion with Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia – wants to rise from sixth to second on the all-time list for goalscoring defenders. Tavernier has 133 career goals and is 42 shy of Daniel Passarela who currently occupies second place. But Tavernier admits he faces a challenge to reel in Ronald Koeman's ridiculous record of 253 career goals.

Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: "Obviously, I enjoy scoring goals. I said on stage it comes down to my team-mates, winning penalties for us, with the deliveries. It comes down to that. It's always nice to contribute to the team and score that many goals. This is the most I have scored in a season. My benchmark goal against Hibs, being the all-time British (goal) record (holder) for a defender. It's a crazy moment but I'm looking on that world list now and I'm, obviously, trying to go for second place.

"I always want to improve, I always want to better myself and try to beat my own targets. It's a big target to do, next season, but I will always try my best. There's time for more (this season),